Sports Turf Managers Association Announces John Watt as New K-12 Director

Source: Sports Turf Managers Association

(LAWRENCE, Kan.) – Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) – the professional organization for 2,600 men and women managing sports fields worldwide who are critical to the safety of athletes and coaches – today announces John Watt, Certified Sports Field Manager (CSFM) and Athletic Fields Manager for North Kansas City School District, has been appointed as the K-12 director for 2016.

Current STMA President, Jeffrey Salmond, CSFM and Director of Athletic Field Management for the University of Oklahoma, appointed Watt to the 13-person Board when former K-12 director resigned due to work responsibilities.

An active STMA member since 1999, Watt has served on the Student Challenge, Membership & Awards Committees and was a 2010 "Field of the Year Award" winner.

“The sports turf manager is an integral part of local youth and school sports programs to ensure consistent, safe and playable surfaces for athletes of all ages and abilities," says Watt. “STMA has provided me with educational opportunities and best practices to implement in my community and I look forward to contributing to the national organization at a higher level."

Watt received a B.S. in Plant Science at the University of Missouri. After graduating, he worked for the Cleveland Browns from 1999 to 2006. He and his wife, Shanna, reside in Kansas City, Mo. and have two children, A.J. and Kayden. 

The STMA conducts its annual elections electronically in late November and the Board officially takes office during the Conference & Exhibition.

Next year’s event will be held in Orlando, Fla. Jan. 24-27, 2017. Additional future sites include Fort Worth, Texas (2018), Phoenix, Ariz. (2019) and West Palm Beach, Fla. (2020). 

For more information about STMA: www.stma.org, www.twitter.com/fieldexperts,800.323.3875.

About STMA

STMA is the not-for-profit, professional association for men and women who manage sports fields worldwide. Since 1981, the association and its 34 local chapters have been providing education, information and sharing practical knowledge in the art and science of sports field management. Its more than 2,600 members oversee sports fields and facilities at schools, colleges and universities, parks and recreational facilities, and professional sports stadiums.